Alden designed, constructed , and tested two 1:20 scale physical hydraulic models of the new 2-mile long surge protection barrier and associated gate bypass structures that will protect the city of New Orleans from surges generated by a 100-year  storm. A model of a typical section of the surge barrier was used to optimize the scour protection on the protected side of the floodwall.  A model of the bypass gate, which allows ship traffic through the barrier, was tested to determine the forces acting on the gates during the storm's receedance, as well as to measure wave heights, pressure, and vibration at the gate structure during hurricane conditions. Both models utilized a wave generation system to create hurricane conditions during testing